Obituary of Ralph A. Lanza

LANZA, Ralph A.—88, of Huntington, New York passed away peacefully in the early morning of April 11, 2024.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Ralph and Josephine (Conversano) Lanza, Ralph attended New Utrecht High School. 

He joined the army in 1958 and was stationed in Germany.  Soon after arriving he met the love of his life and soon to be bride, Anneliese Karoline Kaiser.   While courting his future wife, and carrying out his army duties, he was privileged to play baseball for the USAREUR Stuttgart Chiefs.  These years were some of his fondest.   He traveled Europe, played ball, and enjoyed being young and in love.  His army baseball career ended with a European championship. A proud moment in his life that he enjoyed sharing memories of with his children and grandchildren all through the years.

After leaving the army he came home to Syosset, NY.  Where he resumed his career at JP Morgan Guarantee.   Anneliese soon followed and in 1962 they were wed.  Together they moved to a small studio apartment in Queens where they would start their family.   Ralph and Anneliese had a daughter, Lisa in 1963 and a son, Raf, in 1964.  Their family was complete.  After the apartment was outgrown, they made the move to Huntington, put down roots, and never left.

He loved being a father, never missing a school concert, play, or ballgame.  He coached  Raf in Little league baseball, and years later his grandsons. Ralph was legendary in Huntington among hundreds of young ball players for his tireless, perfect batting practice pitching, and his joy of playing pepper, which he taught to generations of young athletes.  

Ralph was an avid New York Yankee fan, and he passed this love on to his family. He rarely missed a game, and always enjoyed a good baseball discussion.

Ralph was able to retire from JP Morgan Guarantee at 55 and enjoyed the rest of his years with his wife, his children, and his grandchildren nearby.

He was dearly loved by so many and will be greatly missed.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anneliese Lanza, his daughter, Lisa Lovisa (Tully), his son Raf Lanza (Evangelina), his seven grandchildren, Tia Lovisa Moreira, Tully J. Lovisa, Michael Lanza, Michelle Lanza Cesar, Morgan Lanza, Mackenzie Lanza and Mariana Lanza, and two great grandchildren Melanie Lanza and Zachary Cesar.